Multiple automatic washer system

ABSTRACT

A dual water supply and reclaiming system adapted to serve a series of automatic laundering machines. The wash water and rinse water from the several machines are circulated through separate systems for independently treating and reclaiming the same for reuse by the several laundering machines. Both systems include filtering arrangements and the wash water system additionally includes means for chemically treating the used wash water to sterilize and neutralize the same. Makeup water for the wash water system is supplied from the rinse water system, which is replenished with fresh water from a public water supply system.

United States Patent 11 1 Klein et al.

14 1 Oct. 15, 1974 i 1 MULTIPLE AUTOMATIC WASHER SYSTEM [75] Inventors:Lawrence N. Klein, Angola, N.Y.;

William R. Wallens, Pembroke Pine, Fla.

[73] Assignee: Century-Niagara Corporation, 0 Raleigh, N.C.

[22] Filed: Dec. 8, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 313,598

[52] US. Cl. 68/12 1R, 68/18 F, 68/27, 210/167, 210/195, 210/210 [51]Int. Cl D06f 31/00, D06f 39/10 [58] Field of Search 68/12 R, 18 R, 18 F,27; 210/167,195, 210

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,382,490 8/1945 Lawlor210/202 X 2,630,694 3/1953 Creswick.. 68/18 F 2,979,375 4/1961 Kircheret a1........ 68/18 R X Bready et al. 68/18 F X 3.291.562 12/]966AllLiLl'SOll 68/18 F ux FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS PrimaryExaminer-Harvey C. Hornsby Assistant ExaminerPhilip R. Coe Attorney,Agent, or Firm-Connolly and Hutz [5 7 ABSTRACT A dual water supply andreclaiming system adapted to serve a series of automatic launderingmachines. The wash water and rinse water from the several machines arecirculated through separate systems for independently treating andreclaiming the same for reuse by the several laundering machines. Bothsystems include filtering arrangements and the wash water systemadditionally includes means for chemically treating the used wash waterto sterilize and neutralize the same. Makeup water for the wash watersystem is supplied from the rinse water system, which is replenishedwith fresh water from a public water supply system.

22, Claims, 4 Drawing Figures MULTIPLE AUTOMATIC WASHER SYSTEMBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to automaticlaundering machines such as are used in self-service laundryestablishments and, more particularly, to a dual water supply andreclaiming system adapted to serve a battery of independently operablelaundering machines of this general type.

In the operation of self-service laundries in which a number ofautomatic washing machines are made available for use and operation bypatrons, usually by coin operation, problems have frequently beenencountered in connection with water supply and disposal. For example,in some communities, local ordinances prohibit the dumping of largequantities of waste water, such as are normal and customary in this typeof business. In others, no adequate municipal or public water drainageor disposal facilities may be available. Where suitable drainagefacilities are available, the dumping of large quantities of laundrywaste .waters therein, which ultimately find their way to streams andother natural bodies of water, present pollution problems because of thepresence of detergents and other laundry additives which often containsphosphates, enzymes and other harmful constituents. Also, the actualcost of water may be a substantial cost factor when the water utilizedin the washing machines for the wash and rinse cycles is used only onceand then passed on to sewage or other disposal.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention, as hereinafterdescribed, provides a solution to the above problems by providingseparate wash water and rinse water systems particularly adapted toserve a number of independently operable automatic washing machines. Thevarious wash and rinse waters from such'machines are received inseparate systems for independently treating and reclaiming the same andreturning the reclaimed wash and rinse waters to the several washingmachines for recycling as the individual operations of the machinesrequire the same. In filtering and cleaning the wash and rinse watersand returning the same for reuse, the problem of sewage or drainagedisposal, together with the problem of pollution, is eliminated. v

In addition to disposing of the drainage and pollution problems, thepresent system offers substantial economies in the matter of heating thewash water and in the amounts of detergent employed in the washingoperations. The temperature of the wash water after filtering andtreating will ordinarily contain residual heat and be much higher thanthe normalpublic water supply temperature and thus require much lessheat" to bring the same to the desired wash water temperature.

Furthermore, the filtration and chemical treatment of the used washwater does not substantially reduce the detergent content of the washwater so that in the normal course of events in those commercialoperations wherein the addition of detergents to the wash water iscontrolled by an attendant, it is only necessary to add detergent inproportion to the amounts of'water left in the washed fabrics after thewashing operation and the spin drying operation which follows the sameprior to rinsing.

Generally, the only quantity of water lost in the present system is thewash water remaining in the damp-dry fabrics after washing. The watercontent of the clothes before and after the rinsing operation remainsapproximately constant. In the present system of this invention, waterfrom the rinse system is employed'to replenish lost wash water and thenthe rinse water system is replenished from the public water supply orother source. Thus, the heat and detergent which pass to the rinse waterfrom the wash water during the rinse cycle tend to be returned to thewash cycle, at least, to the extent of water replenishment which thewash cycle requires. Also, the addition of fresh water to the rinsewater tends to dilute the residual detergents therein and maintains therinse water as clean as possible for efficient launderingpurposes.

Generally speaking, the present invention provides two separate systemsfor .automatically directing wash water and rinse water from the washingmachines back to the respective wash water and rinse water supplysystems. The wash water recycling system includes a filtering operationto remove particulates from the used wash water and achemic'altreatingoperation to remove insolubles from such wash water and to disinfect thesame. The rinse water recycling system includes a filtering operation toremove particulates and an activated charcoal filtering process toremove detergents and insolubles such as oils, dyes and the like. All ofthe make up'water required by the system is received in the rinse watersystem.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGS. la and lb constitute a compositeschematic or diagrammatic view showing a plurality of washer units and adual wash water and rinse water supply and reclaiming system thereforarranged in accordance with one form of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view, on an enlarged scale, of a mixing apparatusincorporated'in the system of this invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view, on an enlarged'scale, of aseparator usedin the system of this invention; and

F IG. 4 is a chart showing the conditions of the several electricalcontacts of the special automatic washer timer of each washer unitduring thesuccessive phases of a complete wash cycle of an individualmachine.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN ILLUSTRATIVE J EMBODIMENT Referring now indetail to the drawings, there is shown in FIG. lb a series of automaticwashing machines 10 of --the type generally employed in coinoperatedlaundry establishments and individually operated by patrons of theestablishment. However, these washing machines 10 may be of the typeused in com mercial laundries operated by employees of the facilitywhereby the amount and type. of detergents and other launderingadditives used are controlled- In either event, while three such washingmachines 10 are shown in the illustrative embodiment depicted in FIGS,1a and lb, it should be understood that a battery of any given number ofwashers maybe employed, the operation of each individual washer beingselective and entirelyindependent'of the operation of other washers ofthe series, each being equipped with the special timer which governs thesuccessive phases of a complete wash and rinse cycle of operation. g

A pair of similar storage tanks 11 and 12 are provided for receiving anddispensing reclaimed wash water and rinse water, respectively. A commonwash water supply conduit 13 connects tank 11 to the several washingmachines and a pump 15 contained therein delivers the wash water underpressure to machines 10. The wash water from tank 11 passes through avery fine mesh filter 16, on the order of 2-3 microns, for example, forfiltering out any minute particles remaining in the wash water after thefiltering and chemical treating operation, as will hereinafter be morefully described. A normally idle booster pump 17 also is incorporated insupply conduit 13 and is energized by a pressure switch (not shown) toassist pump 15 in delivering the large quantity of wash water requiredwhen a large number of washing machines 10 are simultaneously in use.

in a similar arrangement, a common rinse water supply conduit 18connects tank 12 to the several washing machines 10 and a pump 20contained therein con stantly delivers the rinse water under pressuretoward machines 10. This rinse water is conveyed through a fine meshfilter 21 to remove any particulates remaining in the rinse water afterthe filtering operation, hereinafter more fully described. A normallyidle booster pump 22 also is incorporated in conduit 18 to deliver anadequate volume of rinse water to the washing machines 10 during peakloading thereof as when a large number of such machines 10 are beingoperated simultaneously.

The dual water supply and reclamation system of the present invention isadaptable to various building arrangements. For example, the wash waterand rinse water tanks 11 and 12 may be located in rooms separate fromthe washing machines 10 and may be located above the latter so that thewater supply thereto may be conveyed entirely by gravity, if desired.However, the system of the present invention is adapted for use underconditions where it is desirable or necessary for tanks 11 and 12 to beat substantially the same level as the series of washing machines 10with the various sump tanks, hereinafter described, disposed in asuitable basement area below the level of the tanks 11' and 12 and thewashing machines 10.

Each washing machine 10 includes an electrical solenoid operated two-wayvalve 23 which is controlled by the individual timer 24 of the washingmachine 10 to admit wash water or rinse water or shut off the supply ofeither to the washer unit. Each washer 10 has a common drain providedwith an electrical solenoid operated two-way valve 25 which is activatedby the individual timer 24 associated therewith to close the drain oropen the latter for draining the wash water orrinse water throughconduits 26 or 27, respectively, leading to a common wash water drainconduit 28 and a common rinse water drain conduit 30, respectively. .The

, timer 24 incorporated in each machine 10 is-operative. to coordinatethe actuation of valves 23 and 25in a timed relationship with thewashing and rinsing operations so that the drain is closed wheneithenwash or rinse water is supplied through valve 23 and opened todischarge eitherthe wash water or rinse water after the washing andrinsing operations are completed.

The contaminated wash water and rinse water are drained from eachwashing machine 10 by gravity via conduits 28 and 30, respectively, to awash water sump tank 31 and a rinse water sump tank 32, both locatedbelow the level of the tanks 11 and 12 and the several washers 10. Theused wash water is discharged from the outlet of drain conduit 28 andthrough a lint removing filter 33 into sump tank 31. A probe 35 issuspended in sump tank 31 above filter 33 to generate a signal when thelint accumulates to a certain level, indieating to the attendant thatthe filter must be cleaned. A pump 36, provided with outlet returnmanifold 37, is mounted in sump tank 31 for continuously stirring theaccumulated wash water therein to aerate such accumulated wash water fordestroying at least some of the bacteria therein and minimizing theodors resulting therefrom.

A float control switch 38 is suspended in wash water sump tank 31 andwhen the wash water reaches a predetermined level, switch 38 actuatesthe operation of a pump 40 to convey the wash water from sump tank 31through a supply conduit 41, a filter 42, a manually operated controlvalve 43, and a branch conduit 44 into a chemical mixing tank 45. Asshown in FIG. 1a, inlet and outlet pipes 46 and 47 are tapped intoconduit 41 for directing the wash water under pressure through filter42, which preferably comprises three different grades of sand grit andfilter media. However, an on-off control valve 48 is provided in conduit41 between filter inlet 46 and outlet 47 to bypass filter 42, if desiredor necessary. Also, the manual valve 43 provided in conduit 41 at thejuncture of branch conduit 44 can be actuated to completely bypass thechemical treatment operation, hereinafter described, and deliver thewash water directly to storage tank 11 under peak load conditions whenall or substantially all the washing machines 10 are in operation. Also,control valve 43 may be utilized to divert only a portion of the washwater into branch conduit 44 for chemical treatment, dependent on theextent of wash water contamination and the degree of cleanliness desiredfor subsequent reuse.

'The float control switch 38 also is effective to initiate the operationof a pump 50 for feeding a chlorine solution at a controlled rate from asupply reservoir 51 to the mixing tank 45 via conduit 52.Simultaneously, switch 38 effects operation of a feeder 53 fordelivering the proper amounts of a suitable flocculant or chemical, suchas lime, for example, from a storage bin 55 into the mixing tank 45. Thelime and the chlorine or chemical solution is continually blended withthe wash water by a mixer 56 mounted on the lower end of a verticallyextending, rotatable shaft 57 driven by a motor 58 through a suitablepulley and belt drive assembly 60. The lime serves as a flocculant orprecipitant in collecting the unwanted 'insolublesin the form ofaggregates or precipitants to form a liquid suspension. While notlimited thereto, the specific chlorine solution employed in theillustrative embodiment is tri chloro cyanurate. The floatcontrol switch38 also activates a pump 61 contained in the mixing tank outlet conduit62 for delivering the admixture or liquid suspension from tank 45 into amixer 63 for slowly and completely mixing the lime and chlorine solutionwith the wash water prior to the introduction thereof into a settlingtank 65.

As shown in FIG. 2, a simplified type of mixer 63 comprises a generallyrectangularly shaped, box like container having a pair of side walls 66and 67, a pair of end walls 68and 70, and a bottom wall 71. Anintermediate partition wall 72 extends parallel to the side walls 66 and67 and divides the housing into two chambers 73 and 75, which are incommunication with each other through a passage 76. A series of axiallyspaced baffle plates 77 in chamber 73 extend inwardly from walls 66 and72 and are oriented at angles extending rearwardly or away from end wall68. Likewise, a series of axially spaced baffle plates 78 in chamber 75extend inwardly from walls 72 and 67 and are oriented at anglesextending forwardly toward end wall 68. An inlet 80, in communicationwith conduit 62, is provided in end wall 68 for admitting the wash wateradmixture into chamber 73 and an outlet 81 is provided in the bottomwall 71 of chamber 75 for discharging the wash water through a conduit82 into settling tank 65. The ends of baffle plates 77, 78 are spacedfrom their respective adjacent baffle plates to form passagestherebetween causing the wash water admixture to flow in a slow,tortuous path in the direction of the arrow through chamber 73, passage76 and compartment 75, assuring a thorough and complete blending of thechlorine solution and lime or chemicals with the wash water.

Conduit 82 empties into an inner receptacle 83 mounted in settling tank'65 for separating out the larger masses of aggregates suspended in thewash water. The chlorinated and lime-treated wash water flows downwardlythrough a manifold 85 and then outwardly through outlets 86 into thesettling tank 65. The heavier aggregates remaining in the wash watertend to flow to the bottom of tank 65 and settle thereas sludge. Thetreated wash water, together with a certain amount of fine, suspendedparticles therein, rises upwardly in tank 65 and flows outwardlytherefrom through conduit 87 and into a separator tank 88 mounted on topof a tank 90 housing a mediae filter bed.

As shown in FIG. 3, separator 88 comprises a generally rectangularlyshaped container having opposed sidewalls 91 and 92, opposed end walls93 and 95, and a bottom wall 96 inclined upwardly from the inlet 97toward the outlet 98. lnlet 97 is in communication with conduit 87 forreceiving the wash water discharged from settling tank 65. As the washwater flows from the deep end of separator 88 adjacent inlet 97 to theshallow end thereof adjacent outlet 98, the generally moderate sizedparticulates remaining in the wash water will settle out and becollected along the inclined bottom wall 96 while the relatively cleanwash water will flow outwardly through the outlet 98' adjacent the topof separator 88. A sludge outlet 100 is provided'in sidewall 92 adjacentthe deep end of separator 88 to periodically drain off the sludgeaccumulated therein. The wash water discharged through outlet 98 thenpasses downwardly through the filter bed in tank 90 to remove any fineparticles remaining in the treated wash waterand is then admitted asclean and sterilized wash water into an intermediate collecting tankl02'via conduit 101. When the reconditioned wash water'in tank 102reachesa predetermined level, a pump 103 in outlet conduit 105 becomesenergized to deliver such re-. claimed wash water to storage tank 11.Thus, the dirty wash water drained from washing machines intosump tank31 is routed through a water filtering and cleaning operation, asdescribed above, and returned to storage tank 11 as' reconditioned orreclaimed clean water for recycling through washing machines 10.Generally speaking, it is necessary to chemically treat only a portionof the wash water returned to tank 11 for efficient laundering purposes,the proportion of wash water so treated depending on the degree ofcontamination thereof and the desired cleanliness required for effectivecleansing action; When peak loads are encountered during thesimultaneous operation of a large number of washing machines 10, thewash water can bypass the chemical treatment system temporarily by meansof control valve 43 and be subsequently completely treated during slowperiods of washer usage.

The rinse water, which is less contaminated than the wash water, isrouted through a simpler reconditioning or treating system. Similar tothe wash water system, the used rinse water drained by gravity throughconduit 30 passes through a lint removingfilter 107 into sump tank 32. Aprobe 108 is suspended in sump tank 32 above filter 107 to generate asignal when the lint accumulates to a predetermined level, indicatingthat the filter must be cleaned. A pump 110 is mounted in sump tank 32for continually stirring the accumulated rinse water in a manneraerating the accumulated rinse water therein.

A float control valve 111 is suspended in rinse water sump tank 32 andis operative, when the rinse water reachesa predetermined level in tank32, to initiate the operation of a suction pump "112 to convey the rinsewater under pressure from sump tank 32 through a conduit 113 and atriple mediae filter 114, and then into storage tank 12. The filter 114preferably includes a layer of sand grit, a layer of electromedia, and alayer of carbon. As shown in FIG. 1, a'normally closed, manuallyoperated control valve 115 is provided in conduit 113 between the filterinlet 116 and outlet 117 and may be opened to bypass filter'114, ifdesired, or if filter 114 should become clogged or inoperative.

A portion of the filtered rinse water is bled from filter outlet 117through a branch conduit 118 into the lower end of a detergent absorbingcannister 119, the proportion of rinse water directed through cannister119 being determined by the amount of detergent contained therein andthe amount tolerable in the rinse water supply for effective rinsing.The cannister 119 is filled with activated charcoal granules forcompletely removing any detergents, cleaning additives, oils, dyes andthe like contained in the rinse water flowing upwardly therethrough. Thepurified rinse water is 'discharged from the upper end of cannister 119through an outlet 120 into the rinse water storage tank 12.

- The float control valve 111 also is effective to initiate theoperation of a pump 121 for feeding a chlorine solution, such asa tricloro'cyanurate solution, for example, at a controlled rate from asupply tank 122 to rinse water storage tank 12 viaiconduit 123. Theamount of the chlorine solution added should be sufficient 1 to maintainthe appropriate pH valueywh'ich preferably ranges from about 6.5 to7.5,and to maintaina residual chlorine content of from about 0.8.to 1.0ppm. for disinfec'tingpurposes. 1

" 1n the separate water reclamation systems described above, it will beobserved that none of the water is discharged intoany exterior sewagedrainage and that the only water lost is that which remains in theclothes after the wash waterextraction. The makeeup water for the washwater system issupplied to wash water tank 11 to dilute any detergentsremaining in the rinse water therein.

A sludge sump tank 127, located in a suitable basement area, is providedfor receiving sludge from the various tanks and for receiving the waterused in back washing filters 42 and 114. As shown in FIG. 1, the lowerends of mixing tank 45, settling tank 65, intermediate tank 102, washwater tank 11 and rinse water tank 12 are connected to a common drainconduit 128 for draining off any sludge collected along the bottomsthereof, the conduit 128 leading to sludge tank 127. Tanks ll, 12 and102 are only occasionally drained by opening normally closed manuallyoperated valves 130, 131 and 132, respectively, until the water flowsclear. On the other hand, chemical mixing tank 45 and settling tank 65should be drained daily by opening normally closed manually operatedvalves 133 and 135 until clean water flows outwardly therefrom.

A chemical solution, such as calcium hyperchlorite, may be periodicallyintroduced into sludge tank 127 for facilitating the settling of solidstherein and to preclude the growth of bacteria in the solids. At the endof each business day, the sludge in tank 127 can be thoroughly stirredby agitator pump 136 for approximately minutes and allowed to settleovernight. The clean water can be decanted the following morning throughconduit 137 by pump 138 and delivered to wash water supply conduit 41for reuse. The collected sludge in tank 127 can be periodically removedand constitutes the only wastes that must be disposed of exteriorly ofthe system of the present invention.

Means also are provided for back washing filters 42 and 114 and suchback washing is accomplished, referring to the wash water system by wayof example, by closing normally open valves 140 and 141 in conduits 46and 47 and opening normally closed valve 142 in bypass conduit 143. Ahose or the like delivering either fresh water from an external sourceor wash water from storage tank 11 under pressure is applied to a backwash adaptor 145 and conveyed through filter 42 in a reverse directionand discharged through bypass conduit 143 into sludge tank127.'Likewise, filter 114 may be backwashed by closing normally openvalves 146 and 147 in conduits 116 and 117 and openingnormally closedvalve 148 in bypass conduit 150 leading to the sludge tank 127. A hoseor the. like delivering fresh water from an external source or rinsewater from storage tank 12 under pressure is applied to a back washadaptor 151 and conveyed through filter 114 in a reverse direction anddischarged through bypass conduit 150 into the sludge tank 127.

The washing machines 10 of the illustrative embodiment may be any of thevarious types customarily employed in. coin-operated laundryestablishments. As is well known in the art, each such washing machineis provided with a coin control mechanism for initiating a cycle ofoperation and each machine 10 includes a timer or clock type mechanism24 with multiple cams for establishing and controlling the execution ofthe several steps ina cycle of operation by opening and closingappropriate electrical contacts operatively connected to the solenoidoperated valves 23 and 25; Various adjustments may be made by servicemento regulate the durations of the several'steps of a cycle of operationand the inclusion or exlusion of various stepso periods of operation.

FIG. 4 is a timing chart which illustrates one specific time sequence ofoperations for one washing machine, the specific sequence of operationsbeing illustrated by way of example only, it being understood thatvarious departures therefrom may be made without departing from theprinciples of this invention. A diagram similar to FIG. 4 is all that isrequired for the setting up of a commercial coin controlled automaticwasher by an ordinarily competent Serviceman.

The conventional automatic washer timing mechanism, identified at 24 inFIG. 1b, incudes a timer motor and cams which are moved thereby to closeand open switches at proper intervals for performing the variousfunctions of the machine. In FIG. 4, the letter X indicates that aparticular pair of timer contacts is closed during the indicated periodand the letter 0 indicates that such contacts are open during the periodso marked. It is believed that no further amplification or detailedexplanation of FIG. 4 is necessary for the purposes of the presentapplication. It will be understood that the wash water and rinse waterfill and drain solenoid valves referred to in FIG. 4 comprise thenormally closed valves 23 and 25 of FIG. 1 which are openable to eitherof the supply conduits 13 or 18 or to either of the outlet conduits 26or 27 by energization of the respective solenoid windings conventionallyincorporated in each valve.

The present invention thus provides a dual water supply and reclaimingsystem comprised of separate wash water and rinse water systems adaptedto serve a plurality of independently operable laundering machines.Thus, two systems are provided for separately receiving the various washand rinse waters, respectively, from the washing machines, treating andreclaiming the same, and then returning the respective waters to theseveral machines as the individual operations of the machines requirethe same. While the means for initiating operation'of the two systemsare dependent upon the level of waste wash and rinse waters in sumptanks 31 and 32, it should be understood that such means may beassociated with and responsive to float control valves or the likemounted in storage tanks 11 and 12 for sensing the levels of the washwater and rinse water therein as the same is depleted on demand from theseveral washing machines. Also, the intermediate tank 102 can beeliminated, if desired, with separator 88 and filter tank mounteddirectly above wash water storage tank ll. Also, it should be understoodthat automatic washing machines of various types may be present slightlyvariant washing and rinsing cycles and procedures and may also presentvarious types of automatic'valving-arrangementsfor controlling theseveral water supply requirements. The general system present hereinwill be adaptable to such varying wash cycles and procedures bythoseskilled in the automatic washing machine art. I

A preferred form of this invention having been herein described andillustrated in the drawings, it is to be understood that modificationsthereof maybe made without departing from the broad spirit and scope ofthe invention.

We claim: I

1. In combination, a plurality of automatic washing machines, each ofsaid machines-having independent time control means for executing washandrinse cycles each including introduction of water to the machine anddischarge of water therefrom; a wash water storage tank and a rinsewater storage tank each serving the several machines in common; a washwater sump and a rinse water sump; an outlet in each machine havingdrain conduits leading to said sumps, respectively; means in said outletconnected for operation by said time control means for directing washwater and rinse water through said conduits to the respective sumps;conduit means including pump means for delivering water from said sumpsto said storage tanks, respectively; rinse water treating means in saidconduit means including means for filtering and removing detergent fromsaid rinse water prior to returning said rinse water to said rinse waterstorage tank; and wash water treating means in communication with saidwash water conduit means including means for chemically treating,precipitating solids andsludge and removing the precipitated solids andsludge from and filtering said wash water prior to returning the same tosaid wash water storage tank whereby said rinse and wash water aremaintained separate from each other and suitable for total recirculationfor separate use in wash and rinse cycles.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said wash water treating meansincludes a series of tanks through which at least a portion of said washwater is successively circulated enroute to said wash water storagetank; and conduit means between each adjacent pair of said series oftanks.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said series of tanks includes afirst tank; means for admitting a disinfecting chemical solution intosaid first tank for admixture with and treatment of said wash waterportion; and means in said first tank for'mixing said chemical solutionwith said wash water portion.

4. The combination of claim 3 including means for admitting aprecipitant into said first tank for admixture with said wash waterportion to form a liquid suspension.

5. The combination of claim 4 including a second tank for receiving saidchemically treated liquid suspension and means in said second tank forsettling out the heavier masses of solids from said liquid suspension.

6. The combination of claim 5 including a third tank and means thereinfor separating moderate-sized masses of solids from said liquidsuspension.

7. The combination of claim 6 including a fourth tank having a filterbed therein for removing the remaining particles from the liquidsuspension.

8. The combination of claim 5 including a mixing apparatus includedbetween said first and second tanks for completely intermixing saidchemical solution and said precipitant with said wash water. portionprior to the entry thereof into said second tank. l

9. The combination of claim 2including a sludg tank; conduit meansincluding valve means connecting the bottom ends of said series of tanksto said sludge tank for periodically discharging any sludge accumulatedin said series of tanks to said sludge tank.

10. The combination of claim 9, wherein an agitator pump is installed insaid sludge tank whereby the sludge can be periodically stirred andallowed to settle into a layer of substantially clean water abovesettled sludge whereby said layer of substantially clean watercan bedecanted from above said settled sludge.

11. The combination of claim 1, wherein said rinse water treating meansincludes means in selective communication with said rinse water conduitmeans for conveying at least a portion of said rinse water to saiddetergent removing means.

12. The combination of claim 11 wherein said detergent removing meanscomprises a cannister filled with activated charcoal granules and saidportion of rinse water flowing upwardly therethrough.

13. The combination of claim 1 including means for admitting adisinfecting chemical solution into said rinse water storage tank.

14. The combination of claim 1 including means for delivering makeupwater from said rinse water storage tank to said wash water storagetank; and means for adding fresh water to said rinse water storage tank.

15. In combination, a plurality of automatic washing machines, each ofsaid machines having independent time control means for executingsuccessive wash and rinse cycles each including introduction of water tothe machine and exhaust of water therefrom; a wash water storage tankand a rinse water storage tank each serving the several machines incommon; a wash water sump and a rinse water sump; an outlet in eachmachine having drain'conduits leading to said sumps, respectively; meansin said outlet connected for operation by said time" control means fordirecting wash water and rinse water through said conduitsato therespective sumps; conduit means including pump means for deliveringwater from said sumps to said storage tanks, respectively; means in saidconduit means, respectively, for filtering said wash water and saidrinse water prior to returning the same to said respective storagetanks, means in selective communication with said wash water conduitmeans for chemically treating said wash water prior to returning thesame to said wash water storage tank; said chemical treating meansincluding a series of tanks through which at'least a portion'of saidwash water is successively circulated enroute to said wash water storagetank; conduit means between each adjacent pair of saidseries to tanks;said series of tanks including a first tank; means for admitting adisinfecting chemical solution into said first tank for admixture withan treatment of said wash water portion; means in said first tank formixing said chemical solution with said wash water portion;- means foradmitting a precipitant into said first tank for admixture with saidwash water portion to form a liquid suspension; a second tank forreceiving said chemically treated liquid suspension; means in saidsecond tank for settling out the heavier-masses of solids from saidliquid suspension; a mixing apparatus" interposed between said first andsecond tanks for completely intermixing said chemical solution and saidprecipitant with said wash water portion prior to the entry thereof intosaid sec ond tank; said mixing apparatus comprising a container havinga'partitio n therein defining a pair of chambers; passage means betweensaid chambers; an inlet inzone of said chambers and an outlet in theother'of said chambers and a series of baffle plates mounted in eachmember for directing said liquid suspension ina tortuous path throughsaid chambers for slowly and completely intermixing said chemicalsolution and said precipitant therewith.

16. In combination, a plurality of automatic washing machines, each ofsaid machines having independent time control means for executingsuccessivewash and rinse cycles each including introduction of water tothe machine and exhaust of water thereform; a wash water storage tankand a rinse water storage tank each serving the several machines incommon; a wash water sump and a rinse water sump; an outlet in eachmachine having drain conduits leading to said sumps, respectively; meansin said outlet connected for operation by said time control means fordirecting wash water and rinse water through said conduits to therespective sumps; conduit means including pump means for deliveringwater from said sumps to said storage tanks, respectively; means in saidconduit means, respectively, for filtering said wash water and saidrinse water prior to returning the same to said respective storagetanks; means in selective communication with said wash water conduitmeans for chemically treating said wash water prior to returning thesame to said wash water storage tank; said chemical treating meansincluding a series of tanks through which at least a portion of saidwash water is successively circulated enroute to said wash water storagetank; conduit means between each adjacent pair of said series of tanks;said series of tanks including a first tank; means for admitting adisinfecting chemical solution into said first tank for admixture withand treatment of said wash water portion; means in said first tank formixing said chemical solution with said wash water portion; means foradmitting a precipitant into said first tank for admixture with saidwash water portion to form a liquid suspension; a second tank forreceiving said chemically treated liquid suspension; means in saidsecond tank for settling out the heavier masses of solids from saidliquid suspension; a third tank and means therein for separatingmoderate-sized masses of solids from saidliquid suspension; saidseparating means comprising a receptacle having an inlet at one end andan outlet at the other end thereof; and an inclined bottom wall risingupwardly from said inlet end to said outlet end for collecting solidsthereon from said liquid suspension.

17.- The combination of claim 1, wherein a recirculating pump isinstalled in said wash water storage sump, which continuously agitatesand aerates the wash water to help destroy bacteria and minimize odors.

18. The combination of claim 1, wherein a recirculating pump isinstalled in said rinse water storage tank which continuously agitatesand aerates the rinse water to help destroy bacteria and minimize odors.

19. The combination of claim 1 wherein bypass means is connected aroundsaid wash water treating means whereby the used wash water may bedirected around said treating means during peak periods and treatedduring periods of lesser usage of said automatic washing machine.

20. The combination of claim 1 wherein said wash water treating meansincludes sludge collecting, settling and decanting means for reclaimingreusable wash water from said sludge and directing it to said wash waterstorage tank whereby said wash wateris conserved.

21. The combination of claim 1 whereby said rinse water treating meansincludes chlorinating means for adding chlorine and maintaining the pHof said rinse water at about from 6.5 to 7.5 and for leaving a residualchlorine content for disinfecting and sterilizing the rinse water.

22. The combination of claim 21 wherein said chlorinating means isconstructed and arranged to leave a residual chlorine content from about0.8 tov 1.0 p.p.m.

1. In combination, a plurality of automatic washing machines, each ofsaid machines having independent time control means for executing washand rinse cycles each including introduction of water to the machine anddischarge of water therefrom; a wash water storage tank and a rinsewater storage tank each serving the several machines in common; a washwater sump and a rinse water sump; an outlet in each machine havingdrain conduits leading to said sumps, respectively; means in said outletconnected for operation by said time control means for directing washwater and rinse water through said conduits to the respective sumps;conduit means including pump means for delivering water from said sumpsto said storage tanks, respectively; rinse water treating means in saidconduit means including means for filtering and removing detergent fromsaid rinse water prior to returning said rinse water to said rinse waterstorage tank; and wash water treating means in communication with saidwash water conduit means including means for chemically treating,precipitating solids and sludge and removing the precipitated solids andsludge from and filtering said wash water prior to returning the same tosaid wash water storage tank whereby said rinse and wash water aremaintained separate from each other and suitable for total recirculationfor separate use in wash and rinse cycles.
 2. The combination of claim 1wherein said wash water treating means includes a series of tanksthrough which at least a portion of said wash water is successivelycirculated enroute to said wash water storage tank; and conduit meansbetween each adjacent pair of said series of tanks.
 3. The combinationof claim 2 wherein said series of tanks includes a first tank; means foradmitting a disinfecting chemical solution into said first tank foradmixture with and treatment of said wash water portion; and means insaid first tank for mixing said chemical solution with said wash waterportion.
 4. The combination of claim 3 including means for admitting aprecipitant into said first tank for admixture with said wash waterportion to form a liquid suspension.
 5. The combination of claim 4including a second tank for receiving said chemically treated liquidsuspension and means in said second tank for settling out the heaviermasses of solids from said liquid suspension.
 6. The combination ofclaim 5 including a third tank and means therein for separatingmoderate-sized masses of solids from said liquid suspension.
 7. Thecombination of claim 6 including a fourth tank having a filter bedtherein for removing the remaining particles from the liquid suspension.8. The combination of claim 5 including a mixing apparatus includedbetween said first and second tanks for completely intermixing saidchemical solution and said precipitant with said wash water portionprior to the entry thereof into said second tank.
 9. The combination ofclaim 2 including a sludge tank; conduit means including valve meansconnecting the bottom ends of said series of tanks to said sludge tankfor periodically discharging any sludge accumulated in said series oftanks to said sludge tank.
 10. The combination of claim 9, wherein anagitator pump is installed in said sludge tank whereby the sludge can beperiodically stirred and allowed to settle into a layer of substantiallyclean water above settled sludge whereby said layer of substantiallyclean water can be decanted from above said settled sludge.
 11. Thecombination of claim 1, wherein said Rinse water treating means includesmeans in selective communication with said rinse water conduit means forconveying at least a portion of said rinse water to said detergentremoving means.
 12. The combination of claim 11 wherein said detergentremoving means comprises a cannister filled with activated charcoalgranules and said portion of rinse water flowing upwardly therethrough.13. The combination of claim 1 including means for admitting adisinfecting chemical solution into said rinse water storage tank. 14.The combination of claim 1 including means for delivering makeup waterfrom said rinse water storage tank to said wash water storage tank; andmeans for adding fresh water to said rinse water storage tank.
 15. Incombination, a plurality of automatic washing machines, each of saidmachines having independent time control means for executing successivewash and rinse cycles each including introduction of water to themachine and exhaust of water therefrom; a wash water storage tank and arinse water storage tank each serving the several machines in common; awash water sump and a rinse water sump; an outlet in each machine havingdrain conduits leading to said sumps, respectively; means in said outletconnected for operation by said time control means for directing washwater and rinse water through said conduits to the respective sumps;conduit means including pump means for delivering water from said sumpsto said storage tanks, respectively; means in said conduit means,respectively, for filtering said wash water and said rinse water priorto returning the same to said respective storage tanks, means inselective communication with said wash water conduit means forchemically treating said wash water prior to returning the same to saidwash water storage tank; said chemical treating means including a seriesof tanks through which at least a portion of said wash water issuccessively circulated enroute to said wash water storage tank; conduitmeans between each adjacent pair of said series to tanks; said series oftanks including a first tank; means for admitting a disinfectingchemical solution into said first tank for admixture with an treatmentof said wash water portion; means in said first tank for mixing saidchemical solution with said wash water portion; means for admitting aprecipitant into said first tank for admixture with said wash waterportion to form a liquid suspension; a second tank for receiving saidchemically treated liquid suspension; means in said second tank forsettling out the heavier masses of solids from said liquid suspension; amixing apparatus interposed between said first and second tanks forcompletely intermixing said chemical solution and said precipitant withsaid wash water portion prior to the entry thereof into said secondtank; said mixing apparatus comprising a container having a partitiontherein defining a pair of chambers; passage means between saidchambers; an inlet in one of said chambers and an outlet in the other ofsaid chambers and a series of baffle plates mounted in each member fordirecting said liquid suspension in a tortuous path through saidchambers for slowly and completely intermixing said chemical solutionand said precipitant therewith.
 16. In combination, a plurality ofautomatic washing machines, each of said machines having independenttime control means for executing successive wash and rinse cycles eachincluding introduction of water to the machine and exhaust of waterthereform; a wash water storage tank and a rinse water storage tank eachserving the several machines in common; a wash water sump and a rinsewater sump; an outlet in each machine having drain conduits leading tosaid sumps, respectively; means in said outlet connected for operationby said time control means for directing wash water and rinse waterthrough said conduits to the respective sumps; conduit means includingpump means for delivering water from said sumps to said storage tanks,respectively; means In said conduit means, respectively, for filteringsaid wash water and said rinse water prior to returning the same to saidrespective storage tanks; means in selective communication with saidwash water conduit means for chemically treating said wash water priorto returning the same to said wash water storage tank; said chemicaltreating means including a series of tanks through which at least aportion of said wash water is successively circulated enroute to saidwash water storage tank; conduit means between each adjacent pair ofsaid series of tanks; said series of tanks including a first tank; meansfor admitting a disinfecting chemical solution into said first tank foradmixture with and treatment of said wash water portion; means in saidfirst tank for mixing said chemical solution with said wash waterportion; means for admitting a precipitant into said first tank foradmixture with said wash water portion to form a liquid suspension; asecond tank for receiving said chemically treated liquid suspension;means in said second tank for settling out the heavier masses of solidsfrom said liquid suspension; a third tank and means therein forseparating moderate-sized masses of solids from said liquid suspension;said separating means comprising a receptacle having an inlet at one endand an outlet at the other end thereof; and an inclined bottom wallrising upwardly from said inlet end to said outlet end for collectingsolids thereon from said liquid suspension.
 17. The combination of claim1, wherein a recirculating pump is installed in said wash water storagesump, which continuously agitates and aerates the wash water to helpdestroy bacteria and minimize odors.
 18. The combination of claim 1,wherein a recirculating pump is installed in said rinse water storagetank which continuously agitates and aerates the rinse water to helpdestroy bacteria and minimize odors.
 19. The combination of claim 1wherein bypass means is connected around said wash water treating meanswhereby the used wash water may be directed around said treating meansduring peak periods and treated during periods of lesser usage of saidautomatic washing machine.
 20. The combination of claim 1 wherein saidwash water treating means includes sludge collecting, settling anddecanting means for reclaiming reusable wash water from said sludge anddirecting it to said wash water storage tank whereby said wash water isconserved.
 21. The combination of claim 1 whereby said rinse watertreating means includes chlorinating means for adding chlorine andmaintaining the pH of said rinse water at about from 6.5 to 7.5 and forleaving a residual chlorine content for disinfecting and sterilizing therinse water.
 22. The combination of claim 21 wherein said chlorinatingmeans is constructed and arranged to leave a residual chlorine contentfrom about 0.8 to 1.0 p.p.m.